EUROPEAN GRAPES DESCRIBED. 129 



HISTORY, ETC. This appears to be a very old variety, and is known through- 

 out France and Germany. Most probably it is the result of a sport. It has 

 been frequently submitted to the Fruit Committee as a new variety. 



CULTURAL NOTES. Has the reputation of requiring heat, but we believe it 

 will succeed in any ordinary Vinery. 



ALICANTE (68) Plate I. An oval black Vinous Grape. Season : 

 best suited for late use ; where Grapes are required after Christmas, 

 there are few sorts that keep so well as the Alicante. It is largely 

 cultivated for market. Merits : quality third-rate, but valuable for 

 its excellent keeping and free-fruiting properties, its splendid 

 appearance and fine constitution. 



SYN. Black Alicante, Black Lisbon, Black Portugal, Black St. 

 Peter's, Black Spanish, Black Tokay, Meredith's Alicante, etc. 



VINE. Growth very strong, vigorous and free ; the young growing shoots 

 densely coated with down, giving them a whitish appearance, the ripened shoots 

 being also downy, and especially so round the buds, which are large and promi- 

 nent, and of a dark purplish colour ; the wood ripens freely and well ; moderately 

 fruitful. Leaves very large, deep green, thick and soft, covered with down on 

 the under side, giving them a silvery appearance ; they remain long conspicu- 

 ously green amongst others, being late in ripening and changing colour, and die 

 off yellow, or occasionally tinged with red. 



FRUIT. Bunches large, or very large, averaging from two pounds to six 



Cnds in weight, broadly shouldered, sometimes regularly tapering and of very 

 dsome form, but more frequently divided, or with large irregular shoulders 

 that assume the appearance of a cluster of bunches ; always very closely and 

 well-set, and requiring very early attention in regard to thinning. Stalk stout, 

 strong, and very short, the bunch frequently resting on the shoot. Berries 

 large, of a true oval shape, quite black, and covered with a dense blue bloom. 

 Foot-stalks thick, short, and slightly warted. Skin thick and leathery. Flesh 

 rather squashy, with a tinge of red, and adhering to the skin. Flavour, in 

 general, somewhat earthy and disagreeable, but when well ripened, and after 

 hanging a long time, they are more briskly and pleasantly flavoured, although 

 seldom rich. 



HISTORY, ETC. There is no authoritative record of the introduction of this 

 Grape. The name is Spanish, but it is applied to several varieties of Grapes 

 coming from Spain. Dr. Hogg (Fru.it Manual) states that he has met with it 

 in the Vineyards of the south of France, under the name of Espagnin Noir. Tt 

 is no doubt the same as Speechley's Alicante, but it is to Mr. Meredith, late of 

 Garston Vineyard, that the credit for the popularity of this Grape is due. His 

 excellent and extensive cultivation of it led to its being called Merediths Alicante, 

 in order to distinguish it from Kempsey Alicante, at that time much praised and 

 recommended, but which ultimately proved to be Black Morocco. 



CULTURAL NOTES. There are very few better constitutioned, or more easily 

 cultivated Grapes. It will grow and succeed in any ordinary Vinery, but the 

 more heat that is given to ripen the fruit, the better the flavour. With ordinary 

 care, it is generally very fruitful, always sets well, and colours magnificently. 

 After ripening it requires to be kept in a cool temperature, otherwise the berries 

 are apt to rot and decay. 



ALNWICK SEEDLING (69) Plate II. An oval black Vinous Grape. 

 Season : late. Merits : quality second-rate, but valuable as a late 

 variety; it is one of the best keeping Grapes in cultivation, and 

 extremely handsome. 



